Input-output line sense amplifier having adjustable output drive capability

ABSTRACT

An input-output line sense amplifier configured to drive input data signals over an input-output signal line to an output driver circuit, the input-output line sense amplifier having an output driver stage having a plurality of different programmable output drive capacities to tailor the output drive of the sense amplifier.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to memory systems,and more specifically, to memory systems having sense amplifiers fordriving data signals on input-output signal lines.

BACKGROUND

Memory systems in electronic systems are typically used to store datafor retrieval at a later time. Memory systems come in different types ofmemory. For example, one type of memory is a “volatile” memory, whichcan store data only when supplied with power. Volatile memory systemsare typically designed as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or staticrandom access memory (SRAM) systems, each having different memory cellconfigurations. These types of memory systems are often used in computersystems and other processor-based systems for storing data used duringprocessing. Another type of memory system is a “non-volatile” memorysystem, which can store data even when power is not supplied. There aredifferent designs for non-volatile memory, including NAND-type flashmemory and NOR-type flash memory, each having a different memory cellarrangement and manner of accessing data stored by the memory cells.Non-volatile memory systems are used in applications where data shouldbe continuously stored, even when the electronic system including thenon-volatile memory is switched off. Cellular phones, digital cameras,personal digital assistants, digital music players, are some examples ofwhere non-volatile memory systems are used.

Memory systems can also be implemented in different forms. For example,a memory system can be implemented as an individual memory device.Individual memory devices can be electrically coupled and mountedtogether on a common substrate to form a memory module, which is thencoupled to an electronic system, such as a computer system. Individualmemory devices can also be electrically coupled and mounted to asubstrate on which other components of an electronic system are alsomounted. Memory systems can also be “embedded” in an electronic system.That is, the memory system is formed on a common semiconductor withother electrical circuitry of an electrical system. As illustrated bythe previous discussion, memory systems come in different types andarrangements, and are used in a wide range of electronic systems.

In many portable electronics applications which utilize batteries forsupplying power, having a memory system designed for low powerconsumption is desirable. There are many different approaches toreducing power consumption of memory systems, many of which focus onreducing power consumption of memory systems during access operations,such as reading data from or writing data to a memory array. However,reduced power consumption can often compromise the speed of the memorysystem. As known, operation of memory systems involve driving electricalsignals over internal signal lines. The electrical signals can representinternal control signals, data signals, clock signals, as well as othersignals. Proper operation of a memory system require that theseelectrical signals are driven to required signal levels. In a memorysystem designed for lower power consumption, less power is typicallyavailable to drive electrical signals to required voltage or currentlevels, forcing the memory system to operate at slower speeds. Althoughslower operating memory systems may be acceptable in some applications,it is desirable to reduce power consumption without negatively impactingthe performance of the memory system.

Therefore, there is a need for alternative approaches to reducing powerconsumption of memory systems without compromising memory systemperformance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portion of a memory system including anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a DQ block of the memory system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a sense amplifier and latch circuit of theDQ block of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portion of the memory system illustratedin FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a global input-output line senseamplifier circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a memory system including an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a processor-basedsystem including the synchronous memory device of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain details are set forth below to provide a sufficientunderstanding of embodiments of the invention. However, it will be clearto one skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention may bepracticed without these particular details. Moreover, the particularembodiments of the present invention described herein are provided byway of example and should not be used to limit the scope of theinvention to these particular embodiments. In other instances,well-known circuits, control signals, and timing protocols have not beenshown in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a portion of a memory system 10in which an embodiment of the present invention may be included. Thememory system 10 represents different types and forms of memory systems,including volatile, non-volatile, individual devices, and embeddedmemory systems. Those ordinarily skilled in the art will obtainsufficient understanding of the invention from the description providedherein to practice the invention in various types and forms of memory.It will further be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the artthat the particular arrangement of functional blocks shown in FIG. 1 isprovided by way of example, and embodiments of the present invention canbe included in memory systems having other arrangements as well.Additionally, FIG. 1 is merely illustrative, and not intended toaccurately portray the dimensions or scale of the functional blocks ofthe memory system 10.

The portion of the memory system illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a memoryarray that is arranged as eight blocks of memory 100-107. Each of theblocks of memory are split into two half-blocks 100A-107A and 100B-107B.Each half-block 100A-107A and 100B-107B is further divided into twoquarter-blocks 110. In the arrangement shown, one block of memory, forexample, memory block 100, includes the four quarter-blocks 110A, 110B,110C, and 110D.

Each quarter-block 110 is divided into memory sections (not shown) thathave memory cells conventionally arranged in “rows” and “columns.” Therows are represented by “word” lines and columns are represented bycomplementary pairs of digit lines. As known, row and column addressesare provided to the memory system and decoded, and the memory cellscorresponding to the addresses are accessed. When a row of memory isaccessed, the memory cells associated with the accessed row are coupledto respective pairs of digit lines and the stored data is amplified bycolumn sense amplifiers coupled to the respective pairs of digit lines.Sense amplifiers corresponding to the column address are coupled toprovide the amplified data to complementary local input-output linesLIO, LIOF that are associated with the respective memory section. TheLIO and LIOF lines of the section having the accessed memory cells arein turn coupled to complementary pairs of global input-output lines GIO,GIOF that are shared by a quarter-block of memory. The sense amplifiers,and the arrangement of the sense amplifiers, LIO, LIOF lines and GIO,GIOF lines (not shown in FIG. 1) are conventional.

Blocks of global input-output line sense amplifiers GIOSAs 120-127 arecoupled to the GIO, GIOF lines of a respective quarter block. The GIOSAsof blocks 120-127 are coupled to a respective pair of GIO, GIOF lines toamplify the data of the accessed memory cells of the correspondingquarter-block and generate complementary output signals to be drivenonto sets of complementary GDR, GDRF lines 152, 154, 156, and 158. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the quarter blocks 110A-117A, 110B-117Bshare the sets of GDR, GDRF lines 152, 154 respectively, and the quarterblocks 110C-117C, 110D-117D share the sets of GDR, GDRF lines 156, 158,respectively.

The sets of GDR, GDRF lines 152, 154, 156, 158 couple the output signalsof the GIOSAs to DQ block 160 to be sensed and latched to provide outputdata signals for the memory system 10. Generally, the GIO, GIOF lines,GDR, GDRF lines, GIOSAs and GDRSAs are included in a data path of thememory system 10 that couples data from the cell array sense amplifiersto outputs of the memory system 10. The memory system 10 of FIG. 1 isconfigured as a x4 device, that is, 4-bits of data are output from thememory device concurrently in response to a memory read operation. FIG.2 illustrates the DQ block 160 for a x4 device in greater detail. The DQblock 160 includes four blocks of GDRSAs and DQ latches 190-193. Eachblock 190-193 is coupled to one of the sets of GDR, GDRF lines 152, 154,156, 158, and includes a plurality of GDRSA/latch circuits (not shown)coupled to a respective pair of GDR, GDRF lines. FIG. 3 illustrates aGDRSA/latch circuit 194 that can be used in the DQ block 160. The GDRSAlatch circuit 194 includes a conventional GDRSA current sense amplifier196 that generates complementary output signals on DLAT, DLATF linesbased on a current difference between the GDR, GDRF lines of therespective pair. The complementary GDRSA output signals on the DLAT,DLATF lines are in turn latched by a data latch circuit 198 whichgenerates an output data signal DQ. In alternative embodiments,additional DQ blocks are included in the memory system 10 to providedifferent data configurations for the memory system, for example, toprovide a x8 or x16 memory system concurrently outputting 8- or 16-bitsdata, respectively. The specific arrangements previously described havebeen provided by way of example, and is not intended to limit the scopeof the present invention.

Two half-blocks of memory 110 and 111 and corresponding GIOSA blocks120A, 120B and 121A, 121B are illustrated in more detail in FIG. 4. EachGIOSA of the GIOSA blocks 120A, 120B and 121A, 121B is coupled to arespective complementary pair of GIO, GIOF lines. The pairs of GIO, GIOFlines are represented in FIG. 4 as GIO lines 230A(1)-230A(n) (forquarter-block 110A), GIO lines 230B(1)-230B(n) (for quarter-block 110B),GIO lines 231A(1)-231A(n) (for quarter-block 111A), and GIO lines231B(1)-231B(n) (for quarter-block 111B), where “n” represents a wholenumber greater than zero.

As previously discussed, the GIO lines 230A, 230B, 231A, 231B coupledata to and from memory cells in the respective quarter-block 110A,110B, 111A, 111B. In the case of a read operation, data of memory cellscorresponding to a requested memory address are coupled to the GIO linesto be amplified by respective GIOSAs in the GIOSA block. The respectiveGIOSA generates complementary output signals to drive a complementarypair of GDR, GDRF lines. As previously discussed, the set of GDR, GDRFlines 152 are shared by the quarter-blocks 110A-117A, and the set ofGDR, GDRF lines 154 are shared by the quarter-blocks 110B-117B. Eachpair of GDR, GDRF lines 152 are represented in FIG. 4 by GDR lines152(l)-152(n) and each pair of GDR, GDRF lines 154 are represented inFIG. 4 by GDR lines 154(l)-154(n). The GDR lines 152, 154 couple theGIOSA output signals to GDRSAs. As previously discussed with referenceto FIGS. 2 and 3, the GDRSAs are current sense amplifiers that sense acurrent differential between GIOSA output signals coupled to therespective pair of GDR, GDRF lines and generate a GDRSA output signalaccordingly. The GDRSA output signals are latched by data latches andused to generate output data signals.

FIG. 5 illustrates a GIOSA 300 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The GIOSA can be substituted for the GIOSAs previouslydiscussed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. The GIOSA includes a senseamplifier 302 and a GDR current driver 320. The sense amplifier 302generates complementary output signals on CLAT, CLATF lines based on theGIOSA output signals coupled to the GIO, GIOF lines. In response, theGDR current driver 320 generates output signals onto a respective pairof GDR, GDRF lines.

The sense amplifier 302 is conventional and has not been shown in detailsince sense amplifiers now known or later developed can be used. Thesense amplifier 302 is optional, and can be omitted from the GIOSA 300.In such an embodiment, the GIO, GIOF lines are coupled to the GDRcurrent driver 320 through the CLAT, CLATF lines, and the GDR currentdriver 320 drives complementary output signals onto the respective pairof GDR, GDRF lines based on the logic levels of a respective pair LIO,LIOF lines. Omitting the sense amplifier from a GIOSA may be desirablein applications where the LIO, LIOF lines can be sufficiently driven tocomplementary logic levels for the GDR current driver 320 to generateoutput signals that accurately represent the data of the accessed memorycell.

FIG. 5 further illustrates various control circuitry, such asequilibration circuit 310, and control signals, such as sense amplifierenable signal SAEN, sense amplifier equilibration control signal EQSAF,selection signal SELF, and GDR current driver equilibration controlsignal EQGDR. The sense amplifier 302 is enabled by a HIGH SAEN signaland the GDR current driver 320 is enabled by a LOW SELF signal.Following sensing and amplification, the CLAT, CLATF lines areequilibrated in response to a LOW EQSAF signal and the GDR, GDRF linesare equilibrated in response to a HIGH EQGDR signals. The controlcircuitry and control signals illustrated in FIG. 5 are included by wayof example and are not intended to limit the invention to a particularembodiment having such control signals. Those ordinarily skilled in theart will appreciate that the control signals are typical in a memorysystem and such signals can be generated using known control circuits.

The GDR current driver 320 includes GDR source follower stage 330, GDRFsource follower stage 340, and GDR line equilibration circuit 324. TheGDR source follower stage 330 includes n-channel fieldeffect-transistors (NFETs) 331-333 and enable transistor 335. Each ofthe NFETs 331-333 can be selectively coupled to the CLAT line to beactivated in response to a HIGH signal. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, theselective coupling of the NFETs 331, 332, 333 is accomplished by settingswitches 337, 338, 339. Similarly, NFETs 341-343 of the GDRF sourcefollower stage 340 are selectively coupled to the CLATF line by settingrespective switches 347-349. Switches 337-339, 347-349 also includeswitches to selectively couple the drains of the respective NFETs331-333, 341-343 to the respective GDR, GDRF lines. As will be describedin more detail below, the switches 337-339, 347-349 are used toselectively couple the NFETs 331-333, 341-343 to be activated inresponse to signals on the CLAT, CLATF lines, and thus, provideadditional current drive capability. Where an NFET 331-333, 341-343 isnot to be used for driving current onto the GDR, GDRF line, the switches337-339, 347-349 are set to couple the source and drain together, andcouple the respective gate to ground.

The GDR line equilibration circuit 324 includes NFETs 325-327 that canbe selectively coupled to the GDR, GDRF lines and to receive the EQGDRsignal by setting respective switches. In this manner, an appropriatecombination of NFETs 325-327 for the NFETs of the source follower stages330, 340 coupled to the GDR, GDRF lines can be used to equalize apotential difference between the two lines in response to a HIGH EQGDRsignal.

The current drive capability of the GDR current driver 320 can betailored by setting switches of the GDR and GDRF source follower stages330, 340 to couple selected NFETs 331-333, 341-343 to respond to outputsignals on the CLAT, CLATF lines. Switches of the GDR line equilibrationcircuit 324 are also programmed to provide sufficient current capacitythrough the NFETs 325-327 to fully equilibrate the GDR, GDRF lines. Theswitches of the GDR current driver 320 are conventional. In oneembodiment, the switches are metal-option switches that are set duringformation of a metal layer during fabrication of the memory system 10.For example, signal lines of a metal layer are formed to coupleterminals of the switches in the manner desired, as known in the art.The use of metal-option switches has been provided by way of example.Switches other than metal-option switches can be used as well, forexample, conventional antifuses can be used in alternative embodiments.

Coupling combinations of NFETs to the CLAT or CLATF lines changes thedrive capability of the respective GDR and GDRF source follower stages330, 340. In one embodiment, the NFETs of the source follower stages arescaled differently to provide different combinations of current drivecapability. For example, NFET 332 can be scaled to have twice thecurrent drive of NFET 331, and NFET 333 can be scaled to have four-timesthe current drive of NFET 331. The previously described arrangement canprovide different levels of current drive by selectively setting theswitches 337-339 to couple the respective NFET to the CLAT line.Assuming the NFET 331 by itself drives “i” uA when activated, thefollowing combinations of current drive for the GDR line are available:i (only NFET 331), 2 i (only NFET 332), 3 i (NFETs 331 and 332), 4 i(only NFET 333), 5 i (NFETs 331 and 333), 6 i (NFETs and 332 and 333),and 7 i (all NFETs 331-333). The same arrangement of differently scaledNFETs can be used for the CLATF source follower stage 340 as well. Inalternative embodiments, the NFETs can be similarly scaled, or scaleddifferently than specifically provided in the previous example.Additionally, although the GDR and GDRF source follower stages 330, 340have been described as using NFET devices, different types oftransistors and p-type transistors can be used as well.

In conventional memory systems, all of the GIOSAs typically have thesame current drive capability and cannot be adjusted. In contrast, thecurrent drive capability of a GIOSA according to an embodiment of thepresent invention can be tailored. For example, current drive capabilityof the GIOSAs can be tailored according to their location relative tothe GDRSAs (included in the DQ block 160). For example, GIOSAs that arelocated relatively close to the GDRSAs, such as GIOSAs of GIOSA blocks123A-123D for memory block 103, only have a relatively short length ofthe GDR, GDRF lines 152-158 to drive current to the DQ block 160. Incontrast, GIOSAs that are located further away from the GDRSA, such asGIOSAs of GIOSA blocks 120A-120D for memory block 100, have a relativelylonger length of the GDR, GDRF lines 152-158 to drive current to the DQblock 160. As known, the load of a signal line is proportional to thelength over which a signal must be driven. Thus, the GIOSAs that arelocated closer to the GDRSAs and drive the GIOSA signals over arelatively shorter length of the GDR, GDRF lines 152-158 have lesselectrical load to drive, and consequently, need less drive capabilitythan the GIOSAs that is located further away from the GDRSAs. Forexample, the GIOSAs of blocks 123A-123D can be tailored to have lesscurrent drive capability than the GIOSAs of blocks 127A-127D, due to thelighter electrical load, that is, driving current over a shorter lengthof the GDR, GDRF lines 152-158.

Tailoring of the current drive capability of the GIOSAs to reduce“excess” drive capability of some of the GIOSAs can provide variousadvantages. For example, excess current drive capability can overdrive apair of GDR, GDRF lines to have an unwanted voltage difference. Aspreviously discussed, the GDRSAs include a current sense amplifier tosense a current differential in a pair of GDR, GDRF lines. Creating avoltage difference between GDR and GDRF lines is not necessary foraccurately sensing data. However, any voltage difference between theGDR, GDRF lines must be discharged during a precharge/equilibrationprocess before the next access operation can be performed. The greaterthe voltage difference, the more time that is required to sufficientlydischarge and equilibrate the GDR, GDRF lines, which correspondinglyincreases the overall access cycle time of a memory system. Thus,reducing the voltage difference between GDR, GDRF lines that must bedischarged can improve access cycle time for a memory system.Additionally, the unwanted voltage difference between GDR, GDRF linesincreases power consumption of the memory system since the resultingvoltage difference does not improve sensing accuracy and is merelydischarged at the end of the access cycle.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a memory system 400 thatincludes input-output line sense amplifiers according to an embodimentof the present invention. The memory device 400 in FIG. 6 will bedescribed as a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM),although principles described herein are applicable to any memory systemthat may include input-output line sense amplifiers. For example, theclock enable signal CKE enables clocking of the command decoder 434 bythe clock signals CLK, CLK* to latch and decode an applied command, andgenerate a sequence of internal clocking and control signals thatcontrol various components of the memory system 900 to execute thefunction of the applied command. When enabled by the CKE signal, theinput/output buffer transfers data from and into the memory device 400for read and write operations, respectively, in response to the CLK,CLK* signals. For example, the clock enable signal CKE enables clockingof the command decoder 434 by the clock signals CLK, CLK* to latch anddecode an applied command, and generate a sequence of internal clockingand control signals that control various components of the memory system400 to execute the function of the applied command. When enabled by theCKE signal, an input/output buffer 426 transfers data from and into thememory device 400 for read and write operations, respectively, inresponse to the CLK, CLK* signals.

A control logic and command decoder 434 receives a plurality of commandand clocking signals over a control bus CONT, typically from an externalcircuit such as a memory controller (not shown). The command signalsinclude a chip select signal CS*, a write enable signal WE*, a columnaddress strobe signal CAS*, and a row address strobe signal RAS*, whilethe clocking signals include a clock enable signal CKE* andcomplementary clock signals CLK, CLK*, with the “*” designating a signalas being active low. The command signals CS*, WE*, CAS*, and RAS* aredriven to values corresponding to a particular command, such as a reador a write command. The clock enable signal CKE enables operation of thememory system 400 according to the CLK, CLK* signals.

The memory device 400 further includes an address register 402 thatreceives row, column, and bank addresses over an address bus ADDR, withthe a memory controller (not shown) typically supplying the addresses.The address register 402 receives a row address and a bank address thatare applied to a row address latch and decoder and bank control logiccircuit 406, respectively. The bank control logic 406 activates the rowaddress latch and decoder 410A-D corresponding to either the bankaddress received from the address register 402, and the activated rowaddress latch and decoder latches and decodes the received row address.In response to the decoded row address, the activated row address latchand decoder 410A-D applies various signals to a corresponding memorybank 412A-D to thereby activate a row of memory cells corresponding tothe decoded row address. Each memory bank 412A-D includes a memory-cellarray having a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns,and the data stored in the memory cells in the activated row is storedin sense amplifiers in the corresponding memory bank.

A column address is also applied on the ADDR bus after the row and bankaddresses, and the address register 402 applies the column address to acolumn address counter and latch 414 which, in turn, latches the columnaddress and applies the latched column address to a plurality of columndecoders 416A-D. The bank control logic 406 activates the column decoder416A-D corresponding to the received bank address, and the activatedcolumn decoder decodes the applied column address. In response to thecolumn address from the counter and latch 414, the activated columndecoder 416A-D applies decode and control signals to an I/O gatingcircuit 418 which, in turn, accesses memory cells corresponding to thedecoded column address in the activated row of memory cells in thememory bank 412A-D being accessed.

In operation, during data read operations, data being read from theaddressed memory cells are coupled through the I/O gating and senseamplifier circuit 418 and a data path 420 to an input/output buffer 426.The input/output buffer 426 latches data in a DQ buffer 428 and providesdata from the memory device 400 onto a data bus DATA in accordance withthe CLK, CLK* signals when the memory system 400 is enabled by the CKEsignal. Input-output line sense amplifiers according to an embodiment ofthe invention are included in the I/O gating and I/O sense amplifiercircuit 418 to drive data signals onto the data path 420 to the DQbuffer 428 included in the input/output buffer 426. The input/outputline sense amplifiers can be tailored to have different output drivecapacities, as previously discussed. During data write operations, anexternal circuit such as a memory controller (not shown) applies data tothe data bus DATA which are clocked into the input/output buffer 426 inaccordance with the CLK, CLK* signals. The data are then provided to thememory array through the data path 420 and the I/O gating and I/O senseamplifier circuit 418 to be stored by memory cells in the memory bank412A-D that correspond to the row, column, and bank addresses.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a processor-based system 700 includingprocessor circuitry 702, which includes the memory device 400 of FIG. 6.Typically, the processor circuitry 702 is coupled through address, data,and control buses to the memory device 400 to provide for writing datato and reading data from the memory device. The processor circuitry 702includes circuitry for performing various processing functions, such asexecuting specific software to perform specific calculations or tasks.In addition, the processor-based system 700 includes one or more inputdevices 704, such as a keyboard or a mouse, coupled to the processorcircuitry 702 to allow an operator to interface with the processor-basedsystem 700. Typically, the processor-based system 700 also includes oneor more output devices 706 coupled to the processor circuitry 702, suchas output devices typically including a printer and a video terminal.One or more data storage devices 708 are also typically coupled to theprocessor circuitry 702 to store data or retrieve data from externalstorage media (not shown). Examples of typical storage devices 708include hard and floppy disks, tape cassettes, compact disk read-only(“CD-ROMs”) and compact disk read-write (“CD-RW”) memories, and digitalvideo disks (“DVDs”).

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, various modifications may be made without deviating fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited except as by the appended claims.

1. A data path for a memory system, comprising: a first plurality ofinput-output lines; a first plurality of sense amplifiers coupled to arespective one of the first plurality of input-output lines, each senseamplifier configured to sense a data state on the respectiveinput-output line and generate an output signal in accordance with thesensed data state, at least one of the first plurality of senseamplifiers programmed to have a first output drive setting a secondplurality of input-output lines; a second plurality of sense amplifierscoupled to a respective one of the second plurality of input-outputlines, each sense amplifier configured to sense a data state on therespective input-output line and generate an output signal in accordancewith the sensed data state, at least one of the first plurality of senseamplifiers programmed to a second output drive setting, the secondoutput drive setting different than the first output drive setting; anda data output circuit coupled to the first and second plurality of senseamplifiers and configured to receive output signals from the same andgenerate output data signals for the memory system.
 2. The data path ofclaim 1 wherein the first and second output drive settings comprisefirst and second output current drive settings.
 3. The data path ofclaim 2 wherein the data output circuit comprises: a current senseamplifier circuit configured to generate an output signal in accordancewith a current input signal; and a latch circuit to latch the outputsignal of the current sense amplifier.
 4. The data path of claim 2wherein the first output current drive setting sets the magnitude ofoutput current of the sense amplifier of the first plurality to lessthan the magnitude of output current of the sense amplifier of thesecond plurality set to the second output current drive setting.
 5. Thedata path of claim 1 wherein the sense amplifier of the first pluralitycomprises: a sense amplifier circuit having an output; and an outputdriver circuit coupled to the output of the sense amplifier circuit, theoutput driver circuit having a programmable output driver stageconfigured to be programmed to one of a plurality of different outputdrive settings.
 6. The data path of claim 5 wherein the output drivercircuit comprises: a plurality of transistors having a control terminal,each transistor configured to conduct current in response to an activesignal coupled to the respective control terminal; and a plurality ofprogrammable switches coupled to the control terminal of a respectiveone of the plurality of transistors, each programmable switch configuredto couple the respective control terminal to the output of the senseamplifier when programmed.
 7. The data path of claim 6 wherein each ofthe plurality of transistors is configured to provide a different outputcurrent when conducting current in response to an active signal coupledto the respective control terminal.
 8. The data path of claim 7 whereineach of the plurality of transistors has different transistordimensions.
 9. The data path of claim 1 wherein the first and secondplurality of input-output lines comprises first and second plurality ofcomplementary pairs of input-output lines.
 10. The data path of claim 1wherein the at least one of the first plurality of sense amplifierscomprises a sense amplifier configured to generate complementary outputsignals in accordance with the sensed data state.
 11. A data path for amemory device, comprising: an input-output signal line; an output drivercircuit coupled to the input-output signal line, the output drivercircuit configured to generate an output data signal for the memorydevice in response to receiving an input data signal on the input-outputsignal line; and an input-output line sense amplifier having an outputcoupled to the input-output signal line and configured to drive inputdata signals over the input-output signal line to the output drivercircuit, the input-output line sense amplifier having an output driverstage having a plurality of different programmable output drivecapacities to tailor the output drive of the sense amplifier.
 12. Thedata path of claim 11 wherein the output driver stage comprises: a senseamplifier circuit having an output; a plurality of transistors having arespective control terminal, each transistor configured to conductcurrent in response to an active signal coupled to the respectivecontrol terminal; and a plurality of programmable switches coupled tothe control terminal of a respective one of the plurality oftransistors, each programmable switch configured to couple therespective control terminal to the output of the sense amplifier circuitwhen programmed.
 13. The data path of claim 12 wherein each of theplurality of transistors is configured to provide a different outputcurrent when conducting current in response to an active signal coupledto the respective control terminal.
 14. The data path of claim 13wherein a first transistor of the plurality conducts a first outputcurrent, a second transistor of the plurality conducts a second outputcurrent twice the magnitude of the first output current, and thirdtransistor of the plurality conducts a third output current four-timesthe magnitude of the first output current.
 15. The data path of claim 12wherein each of the plurality of transistors has different transistordimensions.
 16. The data path of claim 11 wherein the output drivecapacity of the output driver stage is programmed to tailor the outputdrive of the input-output line sense amplifier according to theelectrical load of the input-output line coupling the output of theinput-output line sense amplifier to the output driver.
 17. The datapath of claim 11 wherein the output driver circuit comprises: a currentsense amplifier circuit configured to generate an output signal inaccordance with a current input signal received on the input-outputsignal line; and a latch circuit to latch the output signal of thecurrent sense amplifier.
 18. The data path of claim 11 wherein theinput-output signal line comprises a complementary pair of input-outputsignal lines.
 19. The data path of claim 11 wherein the input-outputline sense amplifier comprises a sense amplifier configured to drivecomplementary input data signals to the output driver circuit.
 20. Amemory device, comprising: an address bus; a control bus; an addressdecoder coupled to the address bus; a control circuit coupled to thecontrol bus; a memory-cell array coupled to the address decoder and thecontrol circuit; input/output buffer circuits coupled to the data bus;and a data path coupled to the memory-cell array and the input/outputbuffer circuits, the data path comprising: a first plurality ofinput-output lines; a first plurality of sense amplifiers coupled to arespective one of the first plurality of input-output lines, each senseamplifier configured to sense a data state on the respectiveinput-output line and generate an output signal in accordance with thesensed data state, at least one of the first plurality of senseamplifiers programmed to have a first output drive setting a secondplurality of input-output lines; a second plurality of sense amplifierscoupled to a respective one of the second plurality of input-outputlines, each sense amplifier configured to sense a data state on therespective input-output line and generate an output signal in accordancewith the sensed data state, at least one of the first plurality of senseamplifiers programmed to a second output drive setting, the secondoutput drive setting different than the first output drive setting; anda data output circuit coupled to the first and second plurality of senseamplifiers and configured to receive output signals from the same andgenerate output data signals for the memory device.
 21. The memorydevice of claim 20 wherein the first and second output drive settingscomprise first and second output current drive settings.
 22. The memorydevice of claim 21 wherein the data output circuit of the data pathcomprises: a current sense amplifier circuit configured to generate anoutput signal in accordance with a current input signal; and a latchcircuit to latch the output signal of the current sense amplifier. 23.The memory device of claim 21 wherein the first output current drivesetting sets the magnitude of output current of the sense amplifier ofthe first plurality to less than the magnitude of output current of thesense amplifier of the second plurality set to the second output currentdrive setting.
 24. The memory device of claim 20 wherein the senseamplifier of the first plurality comprises: a sense amplifier circuithaving an output; and an output driver circuit coupled to the output ofthe sense amplifier circuit, the output driver circuit having aprogrammable output driver stage configured to be programmed to one of aplurality of different output drive settings.
 25. The memory device ofclaim 24 wherein the output driver of the data path circuit comprises: aplurality of transistors having a control terminal, each transistorconfigured to conduct current in response to an active signal coupled tothe respective control terminal; and a plurality of programmableswitches coupled to the control terminal of a respective one of theplurality of transistors, each programmable switch configured to couplethe respective control terminal to the output of the sense amplifierwhen programmed.
 26. A memory device, comprising: an address bus; acontrol bus; an address decoder coupled to the address bus; a controlcircuit coupled to the control bus; a memory-cell array coupled to theaddress decoder and the control circuit; input/output buffer circuitscoupled to the data bus; and a data path coupled to the memory-cellarray and the input/output buffer circuits, the data path comprising: aninput-output signal line; an output driver circuit coupled to theinput-output signal line, the output driver circuit configured togenerate an output data signal for the memory device in response toreceiving an input data signal on the input-output signal line; and aninput-output line sense amplifier having an output coupled to theinput-output signal line and configured to drive input data signals overthe input-output signal line to the output driver circuit, theinput-output line sense amplifier having an output driver stage having aplurality of different programmable output drive capacities to tailorthe output drive of the sense amplifier.
 27. The memory device of claim26 wherein the output driver stage of the data path comprises: a senseamplifier circuit having an output; a plurality of transistors having arespective control terminal, each transistor configured to conductcurrent in response to an active signal coupled to the respectivecontrol terminal; and a plurality of programmable switches coupled tothe control terminal of a respective one of the plurality oftransistors, each programmable switch configured to couple therespective control terminal to the output of the sense amplifier circuitwhen programmed.
 28. The memory device of claim 26 wherein the outputdrive capacity of the output driver stage is programmed to tailor theoutput drive of the input-output line sense amplifier according to theelectrical load of the input-output line coupling the output of theinput-output line sense amplifier to the output driver.
 29. The memorydevice of claim 26 wherein the output driver circuit of the data pathcomprises: a current sense amplifier circuit configured to generate anoutput signal in accordance with a current input signal received on theinput-output signal line; and a latch circuit to latch the output signalof the current sense amplifier.
 30. A processor-based system,comprising: a data input device; a data output device; a processorcoupled to the data input and output devices; a memory controllercoupled to the processor and operable to generate memory control andaddress signals for performing memory operations, including readoperations; and a memory device coupled to the processor and operable toperform memory operations in response to the memory control signals, thememory device comprising: an address bus operable to couple addresssignals from the memory controller; a control bus operable to couplecontrol signals from the memory controller; an address decoder coupledto the address bus; a control circuit coupled to the control bus; amemory-cell array coupled to the address decoder and the controlcircuit; input/output buffer circuits coupled to the data bus; and adata path coupled to the memory-cell array and the input/output buffercircuits, the data path comprising: a first plurality of input-outputlines; a first plurality of sense amplifiers coupled to a respective oneof the first plurality of input-output lines, each sense amplifierconfigured to sense a data state on the respective input-output line andgenerate an output signal in accordance with the sensed data state, atleast one of the first plurality of sense amplifiers programmed to havea first output drive setting a second plurality of input-output lines; asecond plurality of sense amplifiers coupled to a respective one of thesecond plurality of input-output lines, each sense amplifier configuredto sense a data state on the respective input-output line and generatean output signal in accordance with the sensed data state, at least oneof the first plurality of sense amplifiers programmed to a second outputdrive setting, the second output drive setting different than the firstoutput drive setting; and a data output circuit coupled to the first andsecond plurality of sense amplifiers and configured to receive outputsignals from the same and generate output data signals for the memorydevice in response to a read command.
 31. The processor-based system ofclaim 30 wherein the first and second output drive settings comprisefirst and second output current drive settings.
 32. The processor-basedsystem of claim 31 wherein the data output circuit of the data pathcomprises: a current sense amplifier circuit configured to generate anoutput signal in accordance with a current input signal; and a latchcircuit to latch the output signal of the current sense amplifier. 33.The processor-based system of claim 31 wherein the first output currentdrive setting sets the magnitude of output current of the senseamplifier of the first plurality to less than the magnitude of outputcurrent of the sense amplifier of the second plurality set to the secondoutput current drive setting.
 34. The processor-based system of claim 30wherein the sense amplifier of the first plurality comprises: a senseamplifier circuit having an output; and an output driver circuit coupledto the output of the sense amplifier circuit, the output driver circuithaving a programmable output driver stage configured to be programmed toone of a plurality of different output drive settings.
 35. Theprocessor-based system of claim 34 wherein the output driver of the datapath circuit comprises: a plurality of transistors having a controlterminal, each transistor configured to conduct current in response toan active signal coupled to the respective control terminal; and aplurality of programmable switches coupled to the control terminal of arespective one of the plurality of transistors, each programmable switchconfigured to couple the respective control terminal to the output ofthe sense amplifier when programmed.
 36. A processor-based system,comprising: a data input device; a data output device; a processorcoupled to the data input and output devices; a memory controllercoupled to the processor and operable to generate memory control andaddress signals for performing memory operations, including readoperations; and a memory device coupled to the memory controller andoperable to perform memory operations in response to the memory controlsignals, the memory device comprising: an address bus operable to coupleaddress signals from the memory controller; a control bus operable tocouple control signals from the memory controller; an address decodercoupled to the address bus; a control circuit coupled to the controlbus; a memory-cell array coupled to the address decoder and the controlcircuit; input/output buffer circuits coupled to the data bus; and adata path coupled to the memory-cell array and the input/output buffercircuits, the data path comprising: an input-output signal line; anoutput driver circuit coupled to the input-output signal line, theoutput driver circuit configured to generate an output data signal forthe memory device in response to receiving an input data signal on theinput-output signal line; and an input-output line sense amplifierhaving an output coupled to the input-output signal line and configuredto drive input data signals over the input-output signal line to theoutput driver circuit in response to a read command, the input-outputline sense amplifier having an output driver stage having a plurality ofdifferent programmable output drive capacities to tailor the outputdrive of the sense amplifier.
 37. The processor-based system of claim 36wherein the output driver stage of the data path comprises: a senseamplifier circuit having an output; a plurality of transistors having arespective control terminal, each transistor configured to conductcurrent in response to an active signal coupled to the respectivecontrol terminal; and a plurality of programmable switches coupled tothe control terminal of a respective one of the plurality oftransistors, each programmable switch configured to couple therespective control terminal to the output of the sense amplifier circuitwhen programmed.
 38. The processor-based system of claim 36 wherein theoutput drive capacity of the output driver stage is programmed to tailorthe output drive of the input-output line sense amplifier according tothe electrical load of the input-output line coupling the output of theinput-output line sense amplifier to the output driver.
 39. Theprocessor-based system of claim 36 wherein the output driver circuit ofthe data path comprises: a current sense amplifier circuit configured togenerate an output signal in accordance with a current input signalreceived on the input-output signal line; and a latch circuit to latchthe output signal of the current sense amplifier.
 40. A method forlatching data in a data output circuit of a memory, comprising: drivinga first data signal on an input-output line according to a first outputdrive setting, the first data signal representing first data; sensingthe first data signal, and in response, generating an output data signalrepresenting the first data; latching the first data; driving a seconddata signal on the input-output line according to a second output drivesetting, the second data signal representing data; sensing the seconddata signal, and in response, generating an output data signalrepresenting the second data; and latching the second data.
 41. Themethod of claim 40 wherein driving the first data signal on theinput-output line according to a first output drive setting comprisesdriving a first current signal on the input-output line according to afirst current drive setting.
 42. The method of claim 40 wherein drivingthe first data signal on the input-output line comprises driving a firstcurrent signal over a first distance on the input-output line andwherein driving the second data signal on the input-output linecomprises driving a second current signal over a second distance on theinput-output line, the second distance different than the firstdistance.
 43. The method of claim 40 wherein driving the first datasignal on the input-output line comprises driving a first current signalover a first electrical load of the input-output line and whereindriving the second data signal on the input-output line comprisesdriving a second current signal over a second electrical load of theinput-output line, the second electrical load greater than the firstelectrical load.
 44. The method of claim 40 wherein driving the firstdata signal on the input-output line comprises activating a firstcombination of transistors of a first set of transistors to couple theinput-output line to a power supply and wherein driving the second datasignal on the input-output line comprises activating a secondcombination of transistors a second set of transistors to couple theinput-output line to the power supply, the first and second sets oftransistors having the same sized transistors and the first and secondcombinations different.
 45. The method of claim 44 wherein each of thetransistors of the first set have different current capacities and thetransistors of the second set have the same different current capacitiesas the first set.
 46. The method of claim 44 wherein each of thetransistors of the first set have different transistor dimensions andthe transistors of the second set have the same different transistordimensions as the first set.
 47. The method of claim 40 wherein drivinga first data signal on an input-output line comprises drivingcomplementary data signals over a pair of complementary input-outputlines.
 48. A method for configuring a memory system, comprising: settinga first input-output line current driver circuit to have a first outputdrive capacity; and setting a second input-output line current drivercircuit to have a second output drive capacity, the second output drivecapacity different than the first output drive capacity.
 49. The methodof claim 48 wherein setting the first input-output line current drivercircuit to have a first output drive capacity comprises: setting aplurality of switches to selectively couple transistors to aninput-output line on which data signals are provided.
 50. The method ofclaim 48 wherein setting the first input-output line current drivercircuit to have a first output drive capacity comprises: setting thefirst input-output line current driver circuit to have a first outputdrive capacity based on an electrical load of a signal line on whichoutput data is driven by the first input-output line current drivercircuit.
 51. A method for configuring a memory system, comprising:setting an input-output line sense amplifier to have an output drivecapacity based on the length of a signal line over which theinput-output line sense amplifier drives complementary signals to anoutput driver, at least two input-output line sense amplifiers of thememory system set to different output drive capacities.
 52. The methodof claim 51 wherein setting the input-output line sense amplifiercomprises setting a plurality of switches to selectively coupletransistors to an input-output line on which data signals are provided.53. The method of claim 52 wherein setting a plurality of switchescomprises setting a plurality of metal option switches.